How can I report a fraudulent Shopify store?

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Multiple Shopify store owners and customers report frustration over fraudulent stores operating on the platform with no clear reporting mechanism. Common scam patterns include:

Typical fraud tactics:

  • Selling counterfeit or misrepresented products (phone cases, electronics, clothing)
  • Shipping broken, unbranded, or completely different items than advertised
  • Refusing refunds despite stated policies, offering only store credit
  • Deleting negative comments on social media
  • Using stolen product images from legitimate businesses
  • Operating multiple duplicate sites simultaneously

Reporting methods identified:

  • File chargebacks with credit card companies (high chargeback volumes trigger Shopify’s Risk team investigation)
  • Use Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy violation form for non-delivery or intellectual property infringement
  • Report to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
  • Contact Shopify support directly through account menu

Ongoing concerns:

  • Fraudulent stores quickly reappear under new names after takedowns
  • Approximately 40% of Shopify stores may be scams according to one cited study
  • Legitimate store owners worry the platform’s reputation suffers, with some considering migration to other platforms
  • The ease of setting up Shopify stores enables rapid fraud proliferation

The discussion remains open with no systemic solution from Shopify addressed.

Summarized with AI on November 2. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
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Hey, @Boss_3 !

Thanks for joining this thread, and I’ll do my best to share what next steps you can take.

Shopify is an ecommerce platform that many businesses use to create their online store. Shopify does not operate the business on behalf of merchants. We do not manage the day-to-day tasks, sales, orders etc. Should you have any order issues, the first steps are to try contacting the seller.

Should you not be able to reach the merchant, I strongly encourage you to contact your bank/payment provider. This is because most banks have built-in security measures to protect you as a buyer, and they will be able to provide you with the appropriate next steps. We have an article here at this link which will explain this in more detail.

I also recommend filling out our Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) report here, If you believe a store is operating in violation of our AUP. When filling out this report select ‘Issue with an order’ from the drop-down menu.

Our team will take a look and proceed with an investigation if it is determined to be necessary. If an investigation is needed, for legal and privacy reasons we will not be able to share the results of any investigation with you.